Are you considering selling your home in Fort Wayne but have questions? Here are some FAQ and some answers...
Where do I start??
The first place to start is to find a local Realtor® in Fort Wayne that can help guide and assist you with the sale of your home. You can easily do this by searching online or asking your friends, family, or acquaintances for a reference. Or you can just call us.
What questions should I ask?
Once you find a Realtor® or two, feel free to interview them. Ask them questions like: How many sellers did you help last year? How many of your listings do you sell? What is the primary source of marketing you use for your listings? What is the average days on market for your listings? What percentage of list price do your listings sell for?
What do I need to do to get my home ready to sell?
Once you decide to sell your home and put it on the market, it is no longer your home. It is a product. This product needs to appeal to the masses. De-cluttering and de-personalizing this product is key. Hiring a professional home stager may be in order as well. Landscaping and curb appeal are very important. Each situation is different, and we will be able to help you decide exactly what you need to do to get your home ready.
How long are homes sitting on the market in Fort Wayne? How is the market in general?
Right now the Fort Wayne real estate market is as hot as it's been for sellers in over a decade. Good inventory is extremely low and sellers are getting 95 - 98% of list price on average. Days on market over the last 6 months are around 80 on average, and in Northwest and Southwest Allen County that number is closer to 60. Each situation is different. We can cover more details when we meet.
Do I need to leave the home during a showing?
Yes. 100% yes. Please take all animals as well. Most showings take around 30 minutes. You will be given plenty of notice by our staff before a showing.
Should I expect to pay closing costs for the buyer?
Not necessarily, but most buyers in the average price range will need help with their closing costs. That amount is usually $2,500 - $3,000. Again, each situation is different and everything is negotiable.
How much commission does a Realtor® charge?
Commission is negotiable. Most agents will have a set amount that they normally charge. The seller pays both the listing agent's commission and the buyer's agent commission. Remember though, if you can out negotiate a Realtor® at a listing appointment, do you really want them negotiating on your behalf with other professinals? Just thought...
What do I have to disclose?
When we list your home, we have you fill out a Seller's Disclosure. This is a form that covers everything in the home. You simply disclose what you know about the condition of the home. If you know the roof is bad, you need to disclose that.
Should we list it high so we have room to negotiate?
It depends. If we think that your home is going to sell for approximately $250,000, pricing the home at $262,500 isn't unreasonable. Listing it at $300,00 is. 90% of buyers today are going to get a mortgage when they buy. Their lender will require an appraisal on the home, and if it's priced at $300,000 and the market dictates a $250,000 sales price, the home will never appraise for that $300,000.
How long of a contract do I have to sign?
That's negotiable. We normally sign a 6 month contract with our sellers, and we normally sell the home long before the contract is up.
Do I really need a Realtor® to help me?
Not always. Some Realtors® will scream from the mountain tops that you always, ALWAYS need a Realtor® to help you sell your home. That's not necessarily true. There are some folks that have enough knowledge and help to do it themselves. That said, MOST SELLERS DO INDEED NEED A REALTOR® TO HELP THEM SELL THEIR HOME. It's an incredibly complicated process that the general public is not educated about. We live, eat, and breathe real estate and everything that goes into it. Our advice is to use a Realtor®.
If you are considering selling your home in Fort Wayne, we would love the opportunity to serve you and add you to our long list of happy home sellers. We look forward to hearing from you and answering every single question we have listed above. Heck, we'll even answer MORE if you have them. We hope to hear from you soon!
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